Smart401k Blog

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Yet again, hopes were high of a Greek debt deal entering the weekend
• Italy entered a recession as GDP fell more than expected
• The payroll tax cut looked poised for renewal
• The Federal Reserve released minutes from its most recent rate-setting meeting

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Greece’s Prime Minister presented a plan, but was met with significant resistance
• Major U.S. banks reached a $25 billion settlement for foreclosure practices
• A drop in initial unemployment claims highlight positive U.S. economic news
• Glencore agreed to buy Xstrata for $41 billion

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Nonfarm payrolls increased by 243,000 in January as the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%
• European Union leaders came to an agreement on a permanent bailout fund
• Eurozone unemployment hit a record of 10.4%
• Greek officials continue to laboriously work toward a debt deal

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• The U.S. economy grew more slowly than expected in the fourth quarter
• President Obama delivered his State of the Union address
• The Federal Reserve convened its rate-setting meeting and released its inflation forecasts
• Talks to avoid a Greek default dragged on

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Sumitomo Corp agreed to buy Royal Bank of Scotland’s aircraft-leasing business for $7.3 billion
• China’s GDP growth slowed in the fourth quarter, but was still 8.9% and ahead of expectations
• Shares of Carnival plummeted after its Costa Concordia cruise ship capsized
• Pembina Pipeline agreed to buy Provident Energy for $3.2 billion

(more…)

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Bristol-Myers Squibb agreed to buy Inhibitex for $2.5 billion
• U.S.-Iran tensions mounted amid concerns over the country’s nuclear program
• As it kicked off fourth-quarter earnings season Alcoa had an optimistic outlook
• Electronics companies showed off their wares at Las Vegas’ Consumer Electronics Show

(more…)

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Payroll data was better than expected and the jobless rate fell to 8.5%
• France’s Total is investing $2.3 billion in U.S. shale gas reserves
• Greece faces getting pushed out of the euro if it doesn’t close on its bailout deal
• ExxonMobil received a small fraction of the compensation it sought for seized assets in Venezuela

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• The Department of Justice cleared the way for legal online gambling
• Yields fell drastically for Italy in a nine billion euro bond auction
• President Obama announced his nominations for two Federal Reserve Board seats

In the headlines

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• The European Central Bank pumped 490 billion euros into European banks
• Government officials continued battling over the payroll tax cut
• … but finally pushed legislation through
• Initial unemployment claims continued to fall

(more…)

In the headlines 

A look at some of the market movers from the week:

• Moody’s was skeptical of the new Eurozone deal and said it will still review the region’s ratings
• Fitch downgraded a slate of big banks
• Italian and German bond auctions during the week were relatively well received
• Congress continued to forge ahead in hopes of finding an agreement on theU.S. government’s budget